STAFFORD – Keith Rocco has a thriving business preparing race cars for teams at multiple tracks. Business is so good that sometimes he even has to have his competitors come help at the shop.
Friday night at Stafford Speedway Rocco won on the track, but he may have cost himself a little more when it comes to the payroll for Keith Rocco Racing.
Rocco drove away from Marcello Rufrano over the closing laps to score victory in the 40-lap SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Speedway.
“I think I might have wore him out in the shop this week,” Rocco said of Rufrano. “The extra help when I need a hand. Thanks Marcello.”
It was the 75th SK Modified victory at Stafford for Rocco, of Berlin. The late Ted Christopher tops the division’s all-time list with 109 wins. Rocco sits second. Rocco also sits second to Christopher on the track’s all-time win list. Friday’s win was Rocco’s 86th overall at the track. Christopher had 131 wins.
“It’s funny, I think actually last year we won our first race on the first Friday night, so right on track,” Rocco said. “You know, really got things organized over here. We got a good car, we built a good notebook after last year and I’m excited for this year.”
Rufrano, of North Haven, was second.
“It was a lot of work coming back from 14th, but like Keith said, he wore me out in the shop all week. So this week my labor rate just went up a little bit for him.”
Dylan Kopec of East Longmeadow, Mass. was third on the track but was disqualified for not meeting the minimum ride height. Anthony Flannery, who was fourth, was also disqualified, for exceeding left side weight. It moved Alexander Pearl of Salem to a third place finish.
Troy Talman used the outside lane on an early restart to go by Kopec for the lead. On lap six Kopec got under Talman for the lead through turn one with Rocco following to second. On lap seven Rocco got under Kopec for the lead into turn three.
Rufrano found a lane under Mikey Flynn with 26 laps remaining to move into third. Four laps later Rufrano went by Kopec into second.
Caution flew with 16 laps remaining when Chase Cook made contact with Meghan Fuller into turn one, sending Fuller spinning. Rocco controlled on the ensuing restart with Rufrano absorbing abuse from Kopec behind the leader.
With 11 laps remaining Rufrano had clawed to the bumper of Rocco, but Rocco fought off the challenge and then found breathing room on Rufrano over the final 10 circuits.
“Forward drive, that’s where he was really beating us all night,” Rufrano said. We could roll really well. We got to him a little bit later than I wanted to. Had to work a lot getting through the pack, but I’m still happy with second. First loser, but it is what it is from where we started and how we ended. I’m happy with the car, better than how we were last week. So everything’s a plus after that.”
CLICK HERE OR THE YOUTUBE LINK BELOW FOR POST RACE VIDEO FROM FRIDAY AT STAFFORD SPEEDWAY
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